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TO CONTRIBUTORS.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.
Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.
How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.
Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.
NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to "explain" a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) "Foolish and unlearned questions avoid," also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.
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The One Sure Refuge
These be times that try men's souls. Nothing in the world seems certain. Men arise with uncertainty in the morning, knowing not what news will be brought. They retire at night knowing not what changes may occur before another dawn. Just now the critical finances of the world are kept comparatively steady because a few wealthy men do not just now wish a panic. Yet the fluctuations in Wall Street, New York, have in the last few weeks wrecked heavy fortunes. In a few hours one man—Keene—in stock gambling won $5,000,000. Others together lost what was won. One day's strife in South Africa may precipitate a financial panic more terrible in its consequences than the war. In popular religious circles faith, implicit faith in the Word of God, is below par. Popular ministers now give utterance to sentiments showing unbelief in the
Bible which years ago would have shocked their churches, and left them without a pastorate. Now open utterances of unbelief concerning portions of the Bible, by ministers in orthodox churches, excite little or no comment. Occult and abstruse and senseless isms, like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land. "Christian Science," "Theosophy," "Spiritism" are honey-combing churches. Mighty trusts whose promoters' ambitions include the world, are making existence more expensive, and arousing the hatred of the proletariat. There is but one sure refuge, Jesus Christ; but one sure guide, God's Word. Man may reject the one or discount the other; yet the Word and its Author stand forever. And so will all those who trust in Him.
CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.
By Editor
Poetry.
Bring That Glad Day, Mrs. M. L. O'Reilly . . . . . 3
Do Good, Nels Anderson . . . . . 10
Hope's Mission, Martha Shepard Lippincott . . . . . 11
A Fisherman's String . . . . . 12
General.
"The Fountain of Dwelling" . . . . . 1
Light Rejected, Mrs. E. G. White . . . . . 2
Destruction of the Wicked, Wm. Penniman . . . . . 2
A Serious Mistake . . . . . 3
The Sanctuary and the Judgment, Uriah Smith . . . . . 4
The Mark of the Beast, and the Seal of God, No. 2, Oscar Hill . . . . . 5
Editorial.
One Mediator . . . . . 6
Grand Principles . . . . . 6
Spiritism and Its Increase . . . . . 6
Evil of Hypnotism . . . . . 7
Is War Christian? . . . . . 7
Outlook.—The True Place for Religious Reform—The Tide Has Turned—Consumption of Beer—The Increase of Suicides. . . . . 8, 9
Missions.—Religion in the Philippines, Eugene G. Wood—South America's Thousands, F. H. Westphal. . . . . 10, 11
The Home.—The Funeral of a Failure—Crippled Maggie's Gift to the Lord. . . . . 12, 13
International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . 13, 15
Publishers . . . . . 15
Increase of Spiritism
By Editor
Read the article on the "Increase of Spiritism," in our editorial columns.
Twenty-Six Murders in New York
The city of New York from May 3, 1899, to Dec. 9, 1899, had within its boundaries twenty-six murders.
The New Blue Language
A new universal language, called the "blue language," has been invented by a noted philologist, Leon Bolloch. Grammar and vocabulary have been published. The earth is getting back to Babel's day of one speech and language.
How Long?
How Long?—"How long will America endure?" Guizot once asked James Russell Lowell. Lowell replied, "So long as the ideals of its founders remain dominant." Prof. David Starr Jordan adds, "Just so long as the government rests on the intelligent consent of the governed" ("Imperial Democracy," p. 141). Is this the case now?
Christian Science Healing Charges
By Editor
Our live little contemporary, the Gospel Teacher, has in a recent issue an article by B. D. Johnson on Christian Science that is full of pointed truth. The writer well says: "Payments for healing are accepted because the healers otherwise would starve. If the sickness is not a reality, the healing is only a pretense, and to charge for it is robbery. The healers have no excuse for charging money or taking collections, as I have seen them do. They should take a dose of their own medicine. Replace hungry thoughts by roast turkey thoughts and the aching void within will disappear."
Angels and the Ministry of God
By Editor
In the article on "Increase of Spiritism," in another column, it is stated that there are spirits waiting to communicate with man in the flesh, referring to evil spirits. This is true. There are also good spirits, the angels, or messengers of God, sent forth by Him to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Heb. 1:14. When man will come into harmony with God, angels of God will minister to him, even as of old to prophets, apostles, and Jesus. But these angels are not the spirits of dead men or dead anything else. They are a distinct order of spiritual beings, existing before ever man sinned or died. Do you wish their ministry?—Yield, then, to God's Word.
Sabbath-School Lessons on Galatians
By Editor
The Sabbath-school Lessons on the life of Christ close with the seventh lesson of the second quarter of this year. They carry us to the Pentecost. The last six lessons of the second quarter are on the wonderful sermon on the mount. Beginning with the third quarter we enter upon a study of the Book of Galatians. These lessons are written in a different style, and are designed to give, together with proper helps, a thorough knowledge of this wonderful little book. Apart from the individual preparation of heart and mind for such a study, there is no 'help' which will aid the student so much as a work this office is about to publish. The title of this work is 'The Gospel According to Paul to the Galatians.' It is written by E. J. Waggoner, one who has probably placed as much study upon this portion of Scripture as any living man. All will want the book, whether they study the Sabbath-school lesson or not. More definite announcements later.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON HELPS.
By Editor
THE international Sunday-school lessons for the present year are on the life of our Lord. Many of the readers of our paper study these lessons. Many of those who study, desire other works which will help to bring out the spiritual depths of sweetness, comfort, and strength there are in the words and deeds of the Master. To such would we commend the "Desire of Ages." This is a work of 866 large octavo pages, beautifully illustrated with more than 160 small illustrations and forty full-page half-tones. Most of these were made expressly for this work by well-known New York artists. This wonderful book is in nine sections, entitled: An Outlook, Early Years, The Anointed One, Days of Promise, Falling Shadows, The Rejected One, Nearing the End, The Crucified, To the Father's Throne. There is no life of Christ written so full of spiritual helpfulness. It has a copious index of both topics and Scripture references. It is well bound. Prices range from $3.50 in cloth to $7.00 in best leather. It may be obtained at this office.
Dwight L. Moody Dead
By Editor
Dwight L. Moody, the greatest of all modern evangelists, is dead. He passed away December 22, at Northfield, Mass. The secret of his power was in his simple, direct manner, and his devotion to the Word of God. To him it was not an out-of-date book, but a living Word, able to save. We do not believe that he saw all things clearly, but we do believe that what he saw he preached. He recognized the fallen condition of the churches, and believed in the near coming of Christ. The cause of his death was heart failure induced from overwork.
Southern California Earthquake
By Editor
An earthquake of no mean proportions shook up all Southern California below Los Angeles, on the morning of December 25. The center of the shock seemed to be at San Jacinto and Hemet, near which is a government Indian reservation. Here six Indian women were killed by falling adobe walls, and much property was destroyed. We hope in our next to give an account from one upon the grounds, together with illustrations of its work.
True Healing Comes from God
A Baptist minister in the East is said to heal by "the power of his mind." It is safe to say that his patients are not permanently healed. The only true healing is wrought by the power of God, and the instrument will give God all the glory, instead of attributing it to some power within himself. The Christian knows that in the flesh dwelleth no good thing.
Nut Foods
By Editor
Nut Foods.—We receive from time to time inquiries concerning nut foods. These may be obtained from the Battle Creek (Mich.) Sanitarium, or the St. Helena Health Food Co., St. Helena, Cal. Many grocers carry these foods now. To many these foods seem too expensive. To such we say, Use the nuts themselves. But here two difficulties arise: (1) Many can not eat nuts without distress, not being able to thoroughly masticate them; and (2) many more do not know in how many ways nuts may be used, not alone as substitutes for flesh foods, but in the preparation of sweet, appetizing, healthful dishes. To both these classes we recommend a nut mill manufactured by Joseph Lambert, Battle Creek, Mich. The mill is simple in construction, durable, strong, never requires sharpening, can easily be cleaned, is ball bearing and easily operated, will grind nuts of all sorts, and crackers, figs, dates, and beans. It costs but $5.00, together with a large volume of 450 pages, nearly 1,000 recipes, entitled a "Guide for Nut Cookery." Our readers may depend upon its reliability. For further particulars address Joseph Lambert, Battle Creek, Mich.
Christ's Law and Civil Law
The "Christian Work" for November 23, under the heading "Christ's Law and Civil Law," makes the following curious remark:—
"It is a singular fact that only on one occasion did Christ attempt to change any Jewish statute."
The reference is to the teaching of our Lord concerning divorce in Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2, 12. But if Jesus attempted to change a civil law here He did in Matt. 5:38, 39. The simple fact is that He never did attempt to change any civil statute. All that Christ taught was addressed to the individual soul. In God's sight, in the light of primal law, no man should divorce a wife save for fornication. The man who heeded this instruction did not violate civil law. Jesus knew what many who profess to follow Him do not know, namely, that it is impossible to convert or save men through civil law.
Control of Grain Trade
Control of Grain Trade.—It is said that evidence presented before a sub-committee of the Industrial Commission, now in session in Chicago, "has established these facts:— (1) That the Interstate Commerce law is dead; (2) that the railroads give rebates to heavy shippers; (3) that grain warehousemen have gone out of the storage business and absolutely control the product by purchase and combination; (4) that five men in Chicago—P. D. Armour, Charles Counselman, P. B. Weare, and two others—meet every morning and fix the price to be paid farmers for grain; (5) that this price is fixed through combination with the granger railroads, which discriminate against outsiders."
The remedy offered for thus disregarding law is government ownership of railways; but would that stop it?
Sunday's Pagan-Papal Alliance
By Editor
Sunday seems to have been as puissant in making friends in England as was opposition to our Lord in Judea. In the recent movement against the Sunday newspaper, John Burns, an agnostic; Cardinal Vaughan, a Roman Catholic; Rabbi Adler, a Jew; Mr. Hugh Price Hughes, a Methodist; and the Bishop of London have, together with the influence of certain large advertisers, prevented the publication of Sunday newspapers. Now concerning Sunday newspapers we care nothing. It were better were none ever issued; but we note the above to show the present-day pagan-papal banner round which the hosts are gathering; for Sunday as a holiday is wholly pagan in origin; as a "holy" day it is wholly papal in origin; in both phases it is a rival of the Sabbath of the Lord.